Wednesday newspaper round-up: UK construction, Unilever, GSK boss

The UK construction industry could lose more than 175,000 EU workers – or 8% of the sector’s workforce – if the country does not retain access to the European single market after Brexit, the government has been told. Such an outcome could put key infrastructure and construction projects at risk at a time when the sector was also facing other pressures, including the tax changes in the recent budget, said the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics). – Guardian

Hundreds of high street jobs are at risk at Jones Bootmaker as the retailer teeters on the brink of administration. The 160-year-old chain, which is owned by private equity firm Alteri, has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators as it seeks a buyer. – Guardian

The chief executive of Unilever has added his voice to the debate around UK takeovers and defending national champions in the wake of Kraft Heinz’s failed £115bn swoop for his company. Paul Polman had swiftly rejected the approach from Unilever’s US rival, which makes less than half of the Anglo-Dutch giant’s annual sales, saying that its low-ball $50-a-share proposal was not “the basis for any further discussions”. – Telegraph

A technology company that wants to make renting a house as easy as shopping online or ordering a takeaway has secured £7.2m funding to help provide accommodation for the ever-increasing number of renters. Goodlord, which was founded two years ago, has agreed a deal with Ribbit Capital, one of Silicon Valley's largest investors in financial tech, and LocalGlobe that it will use to hire dozens more staff as part of its bid to dominate in the rental space. - Telegraph

There were fewer and smaller loans to movers in January as the lull in housebuying activity became entrenched. The number of loans taken out by movers in January fell to 23,000, down 7 per cent year on year and 27 per cent month on month. Existing owners borrowed £4.9 billion, down 4 per cent compared with last January and 25 per cent compared with December, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders. – The Times

Emma Walmsley, incoming chief executive of Glaxosmithkline, has been handed a pay package worth about 25 per cent less than her predecessor. The FTSE 100-listed drugs company said Ms Walmsley, who takes on the top job next month, would be paid a salary of £1 million. Her predecessor Sir Andrew Witty received £1.1 million. – The Times